News

Frostbite series sets sail at Neyland Yacht Club despite weather concerns

Published

11 months ago

January 13, 2025

THE 2025 FROSTBITE SERIES at Neyland Yacht Club (NYC) kicked off with an impressive display of skill and determination, despite initial forecasts of dead calm threatening to cancel the first race.

A fleet of 14 crews gathered on Neyland’s waters and, by mid-afternoon, enjoyed a fresh breeze ranging from 10 to 23 knots from the south. The triangular course, set just east of the club, began with a challenging downwind start near the marina car park, followed by an upwind leg to Neyland Spit, and concluded with a broad reach back to the club line.

Intense competition in Division 1

The start was clean, with Simon G in his International Moth surging ahead to lead the fleet at the first mark. Hot on his heels were Alan G and Annie R in their Dart 18, while Geoff T, tactically starting at the pin end closer to shore, rounded in third.

Drama unfolded early as Kiera E and Simon T, racing their 29er, capsized when caught off-guard by a sudden gust while hoisting their spinnaker.

Despite close battles throughout, the leading positions remained largely unchanged by the end of the first lap. Ross P, sailing a Solution, engaged in a fierce duel with a Supernova, with both boats swapping minor leads during different legs. Alec D, piloting her ILCA 6 with precision and calm, rounded off the Division 1 finishers.

Simon G’s International Moth completed the four-lap course at an impressive average lap time of 2 minutes 37 seconds. However, the question of whether this blistering pace would secure victory on corrected time lingered.

In the end, the Dart 18’s consistent speed and strong performance gave Alan G and Annie R the win on corrected time, defying conventional wisdom that catamarans struggle in Neyland’s waters. The Solution claimed second place, followed by the Supernova in third, Alec D’s ILCA 6 in fourth, and the International Moth rounding out the top five.

Division 2: Tight battles and a new leader

Division 2 saw a promising start as Isabelle N led the fleet of Teras to the first mark, navigating the challenging tidal conditions with confidence. However, her race was cut short when her lower mast snapped, forcing her to retire.

Liam F seized the opportunity, taking the lead ahead of Cerise L, Anwen S, and Ted S. Sailing with the larger Pro rig for the first time, Liam showcased impressive skill and steadily extended his lead over the next two laps.

The Tera fleet displayed remarkable boat handling, particularly when tackling the turbulent waters at the start of the beat, where the outgoing tide collided with a back eddy near the shore.

Liam F finished first in Division 2, followed by Cerise L in second, Anwen S in third, and Ted S in fourth.

Delayed start cancels second race

The delayed start of the first race meant there wasn’t enough time to hold a second race. Nevertheless, the day ended on a high note, with all participants applauding the challenging conditions and thrilling competition.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

5 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

6 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.